New York: The Novel

New York is the book that millions of Rutherfurd's American fans have been waiting for. A brilliant mix of romance, war, family drama, and personal triumphs, it gloriously captures the search for freedom and prosperity at the heart of our nation's history.

Russka: The Novel of Russia

Russka is the story of four families who are divided by ethnicity but united in shaping the destiny of Russia. From a single riverside village situated at one of the country’s geographic crossroads, Russia’s Slav peasant origins are influenced by the Greco-Iranian, Khazar, Jewish, and Mongol invasions. Unified by this one place, the many cultures blend to form a rich and varied tapestry. Rutherfurd’s grand saga is as multifaceted as Russia itself.

Sarum: The Novel of England

In Sarum, Edward Rutherfurd weaves a compelling saga of five English families whose fates become intertwined over the course of centuries. While each family has its own distinct characteristics, the successive generations reflect the changing character of Britain. We become drawn not only into the fortunes of the individual family members, but also the larger destinies of each family line.

The Rebels of Ireland

Edward Rutherfurd's stirring account of Irish history, the Dublin Saga, concludes in this magisterial work of historical fiction. Beginning where the first volume, The Princes of Ireland, left off, The Rebels of Ireland takes us into a world transformed by the English practice of "plantation", which represented the final step in the centuries-long British conquest of Ireland.

Princes of Ireland: The Dublin Saga

The saga begins in tribal, pre-Christian Ireland during the reign of the fierce and mighty High Kings at Tara, with the tale of two lovers whose travails cleverly echo the ancient Celtic legend of Cuchulainn. From that stirring beginning, Rutherfurd takes the reader on a powerfully imagined journey through the centuries. Through the interlocking stories of a memorable cast of characters we see Ireland through the lens of its greatest city.

Paris, Paris: Journey into the City of Light

Swapping his native San Francisco for the City of Light, travel writer David Downie arrived in Paris in 1986 on a one-way ticket, his head full of romantic notions. Curiosity and the legs of a cross-country runner propelled him daily from an unheated, seventh-floor walk-up garret near the Champs-Élysées to the old Montmartre haunts of the doomed painter Modigliani, the tombs of Père-Lachaise cemetery, the luxuriant alleys of the Luxembourg Gardens, and the aristocratic Île Saint-Louis midstream in the Seine.

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris

The Greater Journey is the enthralling, inspiring—and until now, untold—story of the adventurous American artists, writers, doctors, politicians, architects, and others of high aspiration who set off for Paris in the years between 1830 and 1900, ambitious to excel in their work.

Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved, and Died Under Nazi Occupation

Paris in the 1940s was a place of fear, power, aggression, courage, deprivation, and secrets. During the occupation, the swastika flew from the Eiffel Tower and danger lurked on every corner. While Parisian men were either fighting at the front or captured and forced to work in German factories, the women of Paris were left behind, where they would come face-to-face with the German conquerors on a daily basis, as waitresses, shop assistants, or wives and mothers increasingly desperate to find food to feed their families as hunger became part of everyday life.

A Place Called Freedom

This lush novel, set in 1766 England and America, evokes an era ripe with riot and revolution, from the teeming streets of London to the sprawling grounds of a Virginia plantation. Mack McAsh burns with the desire to escape his life of slavery in Scottish coal mines while Lizzie Hallim is desperate to shed a life of sheltered subjugation to her spineless husband. United in America, their only chance for freedom lies beyond the Western frontier - if they're brave enough to take it.

Fall of Giants: The Century Trilogy, Book 1

Ken Follett's World Without End was a global phenomenon, a work of grand historical sweep beloved by millions of readers and acclaimed by critics. Fall of Giants is his magnificent new historical epic. The first novel in The Century Trilogy, it follows the fates of five interrelated families - American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh - as they move through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women's suffrage.

The Mistresses of Cliveden: Three Centuries of Scandal, Power, and Intrigue in an English Stately Home

Overlooking the Thames, the Cliveden mansion is flanked by two wings and surrounded by lavish gardens. Throughout its storied history, Cliveden has been a setting for misbehavior, intrigue, and passion - from its salacious, deadly beginnings in the 17th century to the 1960s Profumo affair, the sex scandal that toppled the British government. Now, in this immersive chronicle, the manor's current mistress, Natalie Livingstone, opens the doors to this prominent house and lets the walls do the talking.

New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline's world is forever changed when Hitler's army invades Poland in September 1939 - and then sets its sights on France. An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she is drawn deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement.

In Montmartre: Picasso, Matisse and the Birth of Modernist Art

In Montmartre is a colorful history of the birth of modernist art as it arose from one of the most astonishing collections of artistic talent ever assembled. It begins in October 1900, as a teenage Pablo Picasso, eager for fame and fortune, first makes his way up the hillside of Paris' famous windmill-topped district.

The Source: A Novel

In the grand storytelling style that is his signature, James Michener sweeps us back through time to the very beginnings of the Jewish faith, thousands of years ago. Through the predecessors of four modern men and women, we experience the entire colorful history of the Jews, including the life of the early Hebrews and their persecutions, the impact of Christianity, the Crusades, and the Spanish Inquisition, all the way to the founding of present-day Israel and the Middle East conflict.

Three Sisters, Three Queens

From the number-one New York Times best-selling author behind the upcoming Starz original series The White Princess, a gripping new Tudor story featuring King Henry VIII's sisters Mary and Margaret, along with Katherine of Aragon, vividly revealing the pivotal roles the three queens played in Henry VIII's kingdom.

The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue Des Martyrs

Elaine Sciolino, the former Paris bureau chief of The New York Times, invites us on a tour of her favorite Parisian street, offering an homage to street life and the pleasures of Parisian living. While many cities suffer from the leveling effects of globalization, the rue des Martyrs maintains its distinct allure. On this street, the patron saint of France was beheaded and the Jesuits took their first vows.

Poland: A Novel

In this sweeping novel, James A. Michener chronicles eight tumultuous centuries as three Polish families live out their destinies. With an inspiring tradition of resistance to brutal invaders, from the barbarians to the Nazis, and a heritage of pride that burns through eras of romantic passion and courageous solidarity, their common story reaches a breathtaking culmination in the historic showdown between the ruthless Communists and rebellious farmers of the modern age.

How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City

At the start of the 17th century, Paris was known for a few monuments, but it had not yet put its brand on urban space. Like many European cities, it was still emerging from its medieval past. But within a century, Paris would be transformed into the modern and mythic city we now know. Most people associate the signature characteristics of Paris with the 19th century. Joan DeJean demonstrates that the Parisian model for urban space was in fact invented two centuries earlier, when the first full design for the French capital was implemented.

A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel

A Gentleman in Moscow immerses us in an elegantly drawn era with the story of Count Alexander Rostov. When, in 1922, he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, the count is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel's doors.

Paris to the Past: Traveling Through French History by Train

In one of the most inventive travel books in years, Ina Caro invites listeners on 25 one-day train trips that depart from Paris and transport us back through 700 years of French history. Whether taking us to Orléans to evoke the visions of Joan of Arc or to the Place de la Concorde to witness the beheading of Marie Antoinette, Caro animates history with her lush descriptions of architectural splendors and tales of court intrigue. "[An] enchanting travelogue" (Publishers Weekly), Paris to the Past has become one of the classic guidebooks of our time.

Anya

Anya Savikin lived among well-to-do Russian Jews in Poland, in a world more like Tolstoy's than our own, until the first bombing of Warsaw and the chaos that ensued. Her story incarnates the strength and love of Eastern European Jewry, before and after their decimation.

The Paris Wife: A Novel

Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet 28eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway and her life changes forever. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.

A Man Called Ove

Meet Ove. He's a curmudgeon - the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him "the bitter neighbor from hell". But behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness.

Julian Fellowes's Belgravia

Julian Fellowes's Belgravia is the story of a secret. A secret that unravels behind the porticoed doors of London's grandest postcode. Set in the 1840s, when the upper echelons of society began to rub shoulders with the emerging industrial nouveau riche, Belgravia is peopled by a rich cast of characters. But the story begins on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. At the Duchess of Richmond's new legendary ball, one family's life will change forever.

Publisher's Summary

"City of love. City of splendour. City of terror. City of dreams."

Inspired by the haunting, passionate story of the city of lights, this epic novel weaves a gripping tale of four families across the centuries: from the lies that spawn the noble line of de Cygne to the revolutionary Le Sourds who seek their destruction; from the Blanchards whose bourgeois respectability offers scant protection against scandal to the hard-working Gascons and their soaring ambitions.

Over hundreds of years, these four families are bound by forbidden loves and marriages of convenience; dogged by vengeance and murderous secrets; torn apart by the irreconcilable differences of birth and faith, and brought together by the tumultuous history of their city. Paris bursts to life in the intrigue, corruption and glory of its people.

Beloved author of Sarum, London, and New York, Edward Rutherfurd illuminates Paris as only he can: capturing the romance and everyday drama of the men and women who, in 2000 years, transformed a humble trading post on the muddy banks of the Seine into the most celebrated city in the world.

Would you consider the audio edition of Paris to be better than the print version?

Listening is so much more experiential, the voice, like a an instrument adds emotion and nuance to the writer.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

One does not read Edward Rutherfurd for the plot and story. The narrative is purely a backdrop or a canvas to explore the city and to 'experience' its historic life. The actual story is, in true Rutherfurd tradition, slightly weak and contrived. Don't get me wrong, it is much less painful than anything by Dan Brown, but the narrative is a vehicle not the end. Therefore the end of the book could be anything, since the real end of the book is going to be your travel agent.

What about Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble ’s performance did you like?

The two J's do justice to the story and help to delineate the forward-backward jumps in centuries. Jonathan can really make con you to believe it is a woman talking without any obvious falsetto trick. True craft.

If you could take any character from Paris out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would have liked to win that lucky draw, not for the obvious, but for the other.

I love the way Edward Rutherford follows families through the ages, and gives such marvellous glimpses of what it might have been like to be involved in, or witness to, historical events - both terrible and inspiring. It alternates between events in the middle ages and more recent, with a lot more focus on the 19th and 20th centuries, but is quite hard to follow. I kept thinking that I needed the book to refer back, to remind myself of the family connections, and I also believe it is likely that a book might contain maps and drawings to illustrate the places it was referring to.That said, I loved the book, it has given me a good overall perspective on French history. Narration is excellent too.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Jean

8/7/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"A good read."

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It captures the feel of Paris and there's a lot to get your teeth into. I really enjoyed the descriptions of a city I know reasonably well, and love.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I suppose it was Thomas Gascon and his love of the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower- although his brother Luc was interesting and I hoped that he would eventually 'come good'.

What does Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

They were excellent and helped to bring the characters to life. Jane Wymark's French accent was particularly good.

Any additional comments?

I've enjoyed all Rutherfurd's books and was pleased to see this one available. My only hesitation is that, unlike Sarum or London, it didn't follow a clear timeline. I found it a bit confusing at first to keep jumping backward and forward between years. Apart from that a really good book and one I shall listen to more than once.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Alison

Burnham-on-Sea, United Kingdom

2/4/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Press on past the first hour or so..."

This was my first E Rutherfurd. I love long audio books and I love Paris, so that's why I bought it. It's not exactly what I was expecting - but it is very good.

The plot is very complex. It seems simple enough at face value, but the switches in era, generations and families adds a layer (or several) which at times, did baffle me. I was slightly bored, or at least not engaged, for about 1 - 2 hours but given that this is such a long book, I was prepared to go with it. Very glad I did. Sometimes the switches in time/characters made sections of the book feel like extended short stories, which I also liked.

Plotting it must have been a nightmare! Even now, I am slightly unclear about the fate of a couple of the characters/families - but it didn't spoil it.

The main feature is the way the book captures a very tangible sense of Paris, through several hundred years of living history. At times, because of the richness of the historical content, I felt that I was listening to a book that was 100% factual; of course it isn't, but the fiction of the plot, set in front of the facts, which come to life, was very clever and rewarding.

The 2 narrators were excellent.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Karen

BRISTOL, United Kingdom

12/2/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Epic"

Where does Paris rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely in my upper top 10! I wonder sometimes whether I would enjoy a book this much if I had actually read it. The narration definitely adds an obvious added dimension, but its definitely a positive one. I love audiobooks especially when there are narrators acting as both sexes and then even sharing some characters, as they do in this audiobook. They're are so good that you forget that its a woman narrating a man's "voice" or vice versa.

What did you like best about this story?

The overlapping stories over such a long period of time, combined with actual history of the ages were a joy. The intricacy of all the characters within each family was so complete! Each new revelation in their relationships was a like a little burst of energy infused to the novel.

Have you listened to any of Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't, but I do have The Girl On The Stairs by Louise Welsh on my wish list

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Funnily enough, although I felt very connected with all the characters, it was the vision of the Eiffel Tower growing as it was built that I found so moving. To think of Paris without it was impossible for me, until Edward Rutherford's novel. Now I can put names and stories to the men who built the Tower. Even if they're only fictional.

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to the next Edward Rutherford novel, or more likely, audiobook.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Amy

Catford, United Kingdom

8/19/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Loved it!"

I've been to Paris many times but after reading this book I will view it with different eyes. It is beautifully written, painstakingly researched and made Paris and it's history come to life for me. A must-read for any Francophile and one which I will listen to again and again.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

Finland

2/12/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"A clever story with many dimensions. "

A very clever, nice and enchanting story through several centuries of the French history and lifestyle. A complete history revision book as well as an enjoyable fiction.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Paul D

Normandy, France

2/5/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great blend of history and story"

Would you listen to Paris again? Why?

Possibly. There is certainly enough content to make a second listening enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

The blend of history with family saga.

What about Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble ’s performance did you like?

Good clear and unobtrusive.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nope.

Any additional comments?

All round an I interesting and stimulating listen. Looked have looked for further books - plenty in reading but none for audible. London, New York, Madrid . . . .yes please. .

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

helen

Birmingham, United Kingdom

3/11/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great for lovers of Paris and French history"

Would you consider the audio edition of Paris to be better than the print version?

i have not read the book yet but thought the book was narrated well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Thomas Gascon. A decent person who took a few risks yet was dependable and ultimately acted for the greater good of his comrades

What about Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble ’s performance did you like?

The way they ensured it was easy to follow which character they were portraying?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How badly the solicitor's daughter treated people and also when Louise was betrayed

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bedelia

burnopfield, newcastle on tyne, United Kingdom

8/6/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"interesting story"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Will listen again to this saga, very good description of Paris during the ages

What did you like best about this story?

The way the story was told

Which scene did you most enjoy?

All of it

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Alex

Sandhurst, United Kingdom

7/8/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Good but I need to read another"

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Undecided. This was my first Rutherfurd and there was good and bad. Interesting enough for me to read another to see if the bad points were unique to this book.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The interweaving of information and historical fact with the fiction.I learned a few things. For example that the French Army went to the front line in WWI in taxis.

Which character – as performed by Jane Wymark and Jonathan Keeble – was your favourite?

Louise, much much more than the usual 'tart with a heart'.

Was Paris worth the listening time?

Marginal yes.

Any additional comments?

I found the way of drip feeding information about historical figures before revealing who they were to be patronising in the extreme. I suppose it was designed to make SOME listeners may feel smug and self satisfied at knowing who they were before they were named.I just found it obvious and irksome. It got to the point I was expecting a primary school teacher voice to cut in with 'Do you know who it could be children?'

In any book of this length the linking and drawing together of many characters over an extended period becomes contrived. Add in the many real writers, artists etc. with whom the fictional characters had interactions, and it became more than slightly ridiculous.

Having said that all that there was enough good in the book that I will listen to another of the author's works before I jump one way or other from my seat on the fence.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Report Inappropriate Content

If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.